Folding-top-support bracket.



R. HUPF.

FOLDING TOP SUPPORT BRACKET.

APPLICATION IIL ED maze, 1907.

1,090,538, V Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R; HUFF.

FOLDING TOP SUPPORT BRACKET. APPLICATION FILED MAR 26, 1907.

Patented Mar. 17,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TED STATES rarnn RUSSELL HUFF, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PACKARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY, 013 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

FOLDING-TOP-SUPPORT BRACKET.

ocosss.

The present invention relates to improvements 1n brackets for use in connectlon w1th folding tops for vehicles, and particularly with such tops as are employed with motor cars.

In constructing folding tops for motor cars, particularly with cars having extremely long bodies and high rear seat panels, difiiculty has been experienced in arranging the bow immediately in front of the rear seat so that it will properly support the top when extended, and when the latter is folded will fall back of said seat.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide a bracket support for this bow which will meet these requirements.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a motor car having a top including a bracket support constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale, and partly in section, of the improved bracket. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: illustrates two of the members of the improved bracket detached. Figs. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a plan and sectional elevation of a support employed for holding the top when it is in its folded position. Figs. 7 and 8 are elevations illustrating two different folded positions of the top. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the motor vehicle or car, and 2 the canopy or cover of the folding top, the latter being supported on suitable bows 3, 4:, 5 and 6, and provided with a rear curtain 7. When the top is in use the forward bows 8, 4, are supported by suitable brackets 8 on the car, one on each side thereof, said bows being detachably connected therewith, and the rear bows 5, 6, are connected to arms 9 of other brackets on the car. The connection between the bracket arms 9 and the bows 5, 6 includes an ear 5 with which Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted Bigug 17, 1914,, Application filed March 26, 1807. Serial No. 364,722.

the forward bows 3, t are connected when the top is in its folded position.

1th the devices heretofore employed for supporting the rear bows 5, 6, it has been necessary in order that the bow 5 may support the top properly and prevent sagging thereof when in use, to make such bow undesirably high in order that it might not interfere with passengers in the car and that it might properly fall back of the rear seat when the top is in its folded position. According to the present invention, the arm 9 is so supported that it may be adjusted into either of three positions, and when the top s 111 use, such arm extends forwardly from 1ts connection with the frame of the car, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the top is folded, and supported in a position substantially horizontal, as indicated in Fig. 8, said arm 9 extends upwardly from its support on the car, and when the top is folded into the position shown in Fig. 7, said arm extends horizontally and rearwardly from its said point of support.

The arm 9 is mounted on a post which is supported in a bracket 10 rigidly fastened to the car body 1. The stem or body 11 of the post is provided with a laterally projecting pin or stud 12, which engages a suitable rccess in the wall of the socket 13, thus preventing rotation of the post relative to the socket and the lower end of said post is threaded to receive a nut 1.4: by which it is held from vertical movement in the socket 13 or passage formed at the upper end of the bracket 10. The upper end of the post is expanded into a disk-like head which is provided with a central aperture 15, and in one face of which disk-like head there are provided a plurality of grooves 16 extending radially from said aperture. At one end the arm 9 is provided with an aperture 17, and one face of said arm has a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 18 adapted to enter the grooves 16 in the disk-like head of the support-ing post, said arm and post being held together by a bolt 19 and nut 20.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 the lugs 18 are in engagement with the horizontal grooves 16 in the head of the post, and if it is desired to fold the top into the position shown in Fig. 8 the nut 20 is loosened sufficiently to permit of turning the arm 9 from its forward horizontal position to the upward or vertical position, when the lugs 18 will engage the vertical grooves 16 and the parts can be held securely in this position by tightening the nut 20. To fold the top into the position shown in Fig. 7 the nut. 20 is again loosened and the arm 9 turned into its rearward horizontal position the, parts being again secured by tightening the nut 20.

The weight of the top when folded is partially supported'by a clip 21 carried by an arm 22 which is mounted in a socket or passage formed in the horizontal arm of a bracket 23 secured to the car body in rear of the bracket 10. The bracket 23 is of the same general character as that of the supporting post carrying arm 9, and the arm 22 is provided with a depending stud or pin 2%, whichis held in said socket by the nut 25 secured on its lower end, and is prevented from turning in the socket by the lateral projecting pin 26 engaging a suitable stop or recess in the passage through which it extends.

The advantages of the bracket herein clescribed will be readily apparent. It will be seen that by supporting the arm 9 so that it may extend either forwardly, upwardly or Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by Washington, D. 6.

rearwardly, from its point of attachment to the car body, it is possible to arrange the bow 5 so far forward that it will properly support the top when in use Without making it undesirably high, and on the other hand, when the top is not in use, such bow will be carried so far to the rear that it will pass behind t-he'rear seat and not interfere with the passengers thereon.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is:

The combination with a vehicle body, of a folding top including a frame consisting of suitable bows and front and rear supports for said bows, the rear bow supports each comprising a pivotally mounted arm adapt-- ed to be adjusted to extend forwardly, rearwarclly or upwardly from its pivotal point, and means for locking said arm in any of said positions, said arms extending rearwardly when the top is in folded position.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUSSELL HUFF.

Vitnesses ALLEN LooMIs, VINCENT LINK.

addressing the Commissioner of Patenta, 

